how about a circus theme for the party or animal theme? or even a color or letter theme ( get kids to dress up in green for example or with the letter A)

mum stopped parties for me when I was like 8 an then I would chose a friend or two to do something special with on my birthday after that like movies or out to dinner , rollerblading etc til I was like 15! then it was more dinners with friends

I had parties till about 14. We would have a big party one year and then the next year we would go out and do something with a friend or two and they would sleep over as well. I think I would probably do the same although yearly parties if I can afford it, would be fine as well! I love planning parties!

As for a theme for your son, how about cooking? The kids could top their own pizza and decorate their own cupcake. I went to a 3yo party where they did this and the kids just loved it and really got into it. You could buy some cheap kids aprons off ebay for all of them too.

Google "Kara's Party Ideas" - you will be there for hours getting ideas and looking at all the gorgeous parties, it is a really great website for inspiration!! Obviously most of the people who throw those parties have unlimited budgets but I pick and choose things and have got some great ideas.

Thanks heaps for your suggestions guys! I love the circus and cooking ideas in particular - nice little activity to keep them preoccupied and enjoying themselves. They can make their own party food, and I don't need to do it for them! Winner!

As for ages, that offers me some relief I have a party every year (this will be his 4th) and I was worried I looked greedy doing it (presents etc!) but glad I don't

My ds is about to turn 5 & it's his first 'real' party this year. Before this year he hasn't really had that many friends his age outside of his cousins, so until now it's just been family (mind you that means 15 - 20 people!). This year he's got his Kinder friends coming and it will be 20+ 5 year olds! Eik! I think we'll keep doing parties until he wants us to stop. I know as I got older my parties changed to smaller parties with closest friends only. Then I hit 18 & I had a massive one, then again at 21. That was my last big Birthday party ... mind you my extended family gets together on my Birthday for Christmas (I'm a Boxing Day baby) but I'm not sure that counts.

Circus is a fun theme. Make your own pizza & cupcakes is a great idea & the kids will have a great time! You can even buy a 6 pack of kids aprons & chef hats from shops like Mini Gourmets (google them) which I'm sure the kids would love.

I have 3.5 kids (currently preg with .5) and my kids had partiesfor their first 2nd and 3rd birthday and then every second birthday from there they had a party. Usually get he kids involved in what type of party and try to keep costs low. Instead of buying themed plates or napkins I buy ones to colour code them... Eg pink etc for a fair party. The year they dnt have a party we do something small at home and buy them their choice of tea eg pizza. This year is my daughters off year for a party and she has asked if her and her brother can camp in the backyard in the tent so that is what she is doing. If you don't want to do a themed party have a think about what he likes, maybe zoo animals or colours etc and do a party with that sort of theme... Blue jelly with a zoo animal on top is definitely a winner and the animals can be bought in packs from cheap stores good luck and hope it's a blast!

My daughter is turning 9 this year and has had a party every year. Not sure when I will stop. For her first, second and third parties there was no real theme. Her first was coffee and cake with friends and family, her second and third were just a morning tea in the park with playgroup and daycare friends and some family. Her 4th was in a park and had a garden theme, so spider cupcakes, ladybug cakes, butterfly birthday cake, and all the cups, plates, invitations had garden prints on them. Her 5th was also in a park but with a dinosaur (Land Before Time) theme. Her 6th was at a park with a fairy and unicorn theme. Her 7th was at the aquarium with an under water theme. Her 8th was at the museum with a dinosaur (not cartoon) theme. She already told me she wants her next one to be a Harry Potter party.

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